How many us a Line Conditioner with a Big SS Amp

Speedy, could you please report your findings before commiting suicide? This could save other AudiogoNer's from the risk of potential suicide. Thanks for the help. :)

Joe, I'm just curious, which Hydra were you using that 'crapped out' on you? Was it the Hydra 2? If so, what power cord were you using?

I ask, because this is the one that has the least amount of filtration, and is specifically designed for the high current amp applications, similar to the Duke in the RSA line.

In your application, the Hydra 2 is the only one in the Hydra line to try, and the Duke would be the only one I'd recommend in the RSA Line. Shunyata really should change the names of all of their conditioners like the RSA line, to avoid the confusion of just the one name. Different Shunyata power conditioners are for different applications in an audio system, just like the RSA line. RSA helps the consumer by giving their products different names, Haley/Duke/Jaco/etc. Shunyata confuses folks because the Hydra 2/4/6/8 have different applications, but some people just refer to them as Hydra's.
So if you didn't specifically listen to a Hydra 2, then you didn't hear Shunyata's best power conditioner for high current amplification. It's also best to use with a high current power cord, obviously. Many make the mistake of using the Hydra 2 with an inexpensive, 14 gauge cord, which obviously will restrict the performance.

I'd prefer not to be labeled Mr. Shunyata, but I do want to make sure we're comparing apples with apples. I would compare the RSA Duke with the Hydra 2, for ultra high current applications. I would compare the RSA Jaco with the Hydra 8 for full system's with standard high current requirements. The RSA Haley competes with the Hydra 6 as a full system with average current requirements.

John

OH... GO GATORS! 41 - 10
Sailfishben

I thought the final was 41-14.

Congrats to your Gators, who are the first team to currently own the NCAA Division I Bastketball and Football titles at the same time.

Bflowers, it sounds like you used the Duke on the big monblocks, did you happen to try the Jaco on the monoblocks? Any differences?
I've tried the Duke, and it is very good, but I haven't heard the Jaco yet.

Also, thanks for mentioning the Hydra 8, so at least we know what model you used. Yes, this should be comparative with the RSA Jaco. Now, is it safe to assume that you used the RSA Mongoose (modified Cardas GR) power cord for the RSA conditioners?
For clarification purposes, what power cord did you use with the Hydra 8?

Thanks for sharing your experiences. So you didn't try the Jaco on your amps then, correct?
FWIW, I've never heard the Jaco. I've had the RSA Duke w/ Mongoose, as yes the RSA products come with a cord, so this is makes comparisons difficult because Shunyata's do not come with a cord. So to some degree the performance is dependent on the cord. Anyway, IMHO, I felt the Hydra 2 w/ Anaconda Alpha cord and the RSA Duke w/ Mongoose both were the best conditioners that I've heard with high powered amps. Personally, I didn't detect any current limiting with either of these in place.
Obviously these will be system synergy dependent choices, just like cables or power cords. There is no absolute best, just what works best for you.

The Duke/Hydra 2 performed much better with power amps in my system than conditioners from Monster, Audio Magic, PS Audio, BPT, and Tara Labs. I would like to try a Walker Audio Velocitor 'S' though.

John

Audphile1, I do not believe that I ever claimed to have a Shunyata Anaconda on my amplifier. FWIW, at the time that I had the Hydra 2 with Anaconda Alpha power cord, I had a BAT VK-600SE plugged into it. The BAT amp is a single chassis, but is dual mono, even seperate power cords for left and right channels. So this amp required two power cords. I was using (2) Virtual Dynamics Master power cords on from the amp to the Hydra 2.

I would say that in terms of sonic absolute's plugging directly into the wall was the best. There is no need for a power conditioner at all to improve sonics on an amp. The reason I was trying power conditioners is because I was nervous having no spike/surge protection on a $12K amp.
I found the Hydra 2 and the RSA Duke to have the least sonic degradation of any power conditioners I've heard. Protection with very little sonic coloration. The Hydra 2 presented slightly less soundstage depth compared to plugging the amps straight into the wall. The RSA Duke presented a slight 'warming' of the upper bass/lower midrange region. Note, that these comparisons were both made only comparing the conditioners themselves against plugging straight into the wall. These 'complaints' are also magnified to show any difference. They were very slight in comparisons with the sound degradation I've heard from other power conditioners.

FWIW, no power conditioner in the world will improve the sound of an amp plugged directly into a dedicated line. I only mention these two power conditioners for those, who like myself were concerned with having no surge/spike protection. I felt these two units presented limitations that were very acceptable to my ears, in my system. If you have no concern about spikes/surge control, I would definitely recommend that you plug your amp(s) directly into a dedicated line. How's that?

Oh, and BTW, I did also get a chance to hear the Hydra 2 with a Copperhead and a Python Alpha p/c's. Versus the Anaconda Alpha, I would say the Python was a little more restrictive, showing and even smaller stage. The Copperhead showed the warming characteristics in the upper bass/lower mid's that I also noticed in the RSA Duke, only to a greater degree.

John